Find us

Turn left from the A140 Aysham to Cromer road signposted Erpingham. Pass through Erpingham and bear left on The Street at Calthorpe This becomes Wall Road, you will pass the Saracen’s Head pub on your right and then the turning for Wolterton Hall is 200m further on your left hand side.

Forthcoming Tours

Tour Overview

Go on a guided tour of the main hall and gardens, with the opportunity to explore this private estate including the lake and church ruins at leisure.

Tour duration

2 - 2.5 hours

Tour prices

£32.00 per person.

Refreshments

Champagne and savoury/sweet canapés served in Saloon. Tea, coffee and soft drinks available.

Access Notes

Very limited.

Restrictions

No dogs in the Hall. No photography in the Hall.

Weddings

Accommodation

From the Spring of 2018, we will be offering the ultimate in luxury accommodation. Guests will have exclusive access to the grounds and an option to use our bespoke concierge service to ensure the most perfect stay. We will be offering a rare opportunity for guests to stay in some of our estate cottages and East Wing.

All properties on the estate are being meticulously renovated with luxury kitchens and bathrooms, Vi Spring beds and antique furniture. We will be offering everything from a cosy 1 bedroom cottage to our impressive 6 bedroom East Wing.

Guests can opt for a full concierge service and can be supported by our experienced team as much or as little as they wish. Every stay will be totally individual, with the aim of making our guests feel completely cared for in wonderful surroundings.

Find us

Turn left from the A140 Aysham to Cromer road signposted Erpingham. Pass through Erpingham and bear left on The Street at Calthorpe This becomes Wall Road, you will pass the Saracen’s Head pub on your right and then the turning for Wolterton Hall is 200m further on your left hand side.

Other opening

Wolterton Hall's history and features

Wolterton Hall was built by Horatio Walpole, brother of Sir Robert, our first Prime Minister. Inspired by Palladio, Thomas Ripley the architect produced an exceptional house of great originality and style.

As Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert seems to have had unlimited access to funds and his brother seems to have done rather well in building Wolterton Hall which is more modest in scale though still a very substantial stately home.

The Walpoles had been established in north Norfolk as landed gentry from the 14th century. Horatio decided to purchase Wolterton to build himself a grand house.

Horatio bought an existing house at Wolterton but after the work had begun, it burnt down. His architect, Thomas Ripley, was already working on Houghton Hall, persuaded him to start again with a house inspired by Andrea Palladio, who had revived the classical buildings of Ancient Greece.

Work began in earnest in 1727 and the hall was completed in 1742. Having been ambassador in Paris and the Hague and a member of Parliament and an active government minister, Horatio built a strong relationship with Cardinal Fleury, Louis XIV’s foreign minister, which resulted in a peaceful relationship with France, on which Britain’s prosperity was built. Cardinal Fleury gave Horatio the fine tapestries which still adorn the state rooms at Wolterton.

Things to See

The Walpole Library

Historic objects

Large Walled Gardens, Park & Lake

State rooms

Fun Facts

Wolterton was built by Horatio the brother or Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first Prime Minister. Horatio Nelson took his name from his Godfather Horatio Walpole and was a frequent visitor to Wolterton with his own rooms.

The Hall has the largest walled garden in Britain and is currently under restoration.